Animal tattoo device

ABSTRACT

A device for tattooing an animal such as a rodent includes a tweezers-shaped body having resilient arms with free ends, which can be squeezed together and when released will return to a spaced apart, rest position. A needle carried by the free end of one arm is aligned with a hole in the free end of the other arm, so that when an area of animal, e.g. a rodent toe, is placed between the fee ends and the arms are pressed together, the needle penetrates the animal to deposit ink beneath the skin of the animal.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a device for identifying laboratoryanimals, and in particular to an animal tattoo device.

[0003] Laboratory animals such as small rodents are widely used forresearch purposes in various fields such as the medical, pharmaceuticaland biotechnical fields. The animals usually used for research purposesinclude mice and rats which are often used in large numbers even in arelatively small laboratory. Since the animals are often involved instudies comparing the effect of various factors on the animals, it iscrucial to be able to identify the animals which have been subjected toparticular treatments.

[0004] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art

[0005] Commonly used existing methods for identifying animals includeaffixing metal or plastic identification tags to the ear or another areaof the animal, punching of body parts such as the ears of the animal,embedding electronic chips in an animal's body, clipping of some bodyparts such as toes of an animal, and marking animals with a felt pen orthe like. All of the existing methods, however, suffer from majordrawbacks.

[0006] Identification ear tags can be removed accidentally and are oftenassociated with an increased risk of infection, especially if the tag isworn for a long period of time.

[0007] A more permanent type of identification involves puncturing ananimal typically an appendage, such as the ear using a sharp instrument.The puncturing of the ears of the animal can result in tearing of theears between identification holes. Moreover, the method is difficult toeffect with relatively young animals, and the method is somewhat limitedsince it allows for identification of a small number of animals only.

[0008] Electronic chips or similar electronic identification devices inan animal to produce a signal, which can be read by a portable reader.The use of such electronic devices requires minor surgery to implant theelectronic device in the animals, and is associated with relatively highcosts, because the electronic devices are typically quite expensive.

[0009] The clipping of a section of the toe of an animal is consideredto be quite painful to the animal, and should be done under anesthesia.Clipping leads to a relatively high risk of infection, and is a verycontroversial method which may soon be banned.

[0010] The use of a felt marking pen or a similar writing implementresults in temporary marking which must be repeated at relativelyfrequent intervals. Typically, the mark produced on an animal lasts forone to two days and must then be reapplied.

[0011] Another possibility is the use of conventional tattooing.However, conventional tattooing involves an electrically operatedapparatus including tattoo needles which vibrate against the skin. Theoperator must move the apparatus to form a pattern. Such apparatuses aremuch too heavy and cumbersome for use on small animals, and lack thenecessary precision to be used for such purpose.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Thus, a need still exists for an improved animal identificationdevice. An object of the present invention is to meet such need byproviding a relatively simple animal tattoo device, which solves theabove described problems associated with existing animal identificationdevices and methods.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide an animal tattoodevice, which results in minimal pain to the animal and does not requireanesthesia. The device allows for simple marking of the animal, withoutrequiring a large degree of dexterity or talent. The device allows forquick and easy marking of animals, leaving a relatively permanent markthat can be repeated.

[0014] Accordingly, the present invention relates to an animal tattoodevice comprising a body including first and second arms connectedtogether at one end and having normally spaced apart, opposed free endsin a rest position;

[0015] a hypodermic needle on the free end of said first arm extendingtoward the free end of said second arms for carrying a supply of ink;

[0016] a hole in the free end of said second arm for receiving saidneedle when the free ends of said first and second arms are movedtowards each other,

[0017] whereby, when an area of an animal is placed between said freeends of the first and second arms, movement of the free ends towardseach other will cause the needle to pass through the area of the animalto deposit ink beneath the skin of the animal.

[0018] The device facilitates the application of distinct identifyingmarks to a relatively large number of animals. The device can be usedwith a variety of animals at different stages of their life cycleincluding relatively young animals, typically as young as one week old.

[0019] The device is relatively inexpensive, and reduces the risk ofinfection to animals. The device is safe both to the operator and to theanimal. The device is specifically designed to be manufactured usingconventional manufacturing techniques. Moreover, the device is durable,relatively trouble free in operation, and requires minimal maintenance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention is described below in greater detail with referenceto the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0021]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of theanimal tattoo device in accordance with the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 2 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1;

[0023]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a second embodiment of the tattoodevice of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of one end of the device of FIGS. 1and 2 during a tattooing operation; and

[0025]FIG. 5 is a schematic, bottom view of a rodent.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an animal tattoo device in accordancewith the invention includes a tweezer-shaped body 1 defined by a pair ofarms 2 and 3 interconnected at one end by a generally V-shaped head 4.The arms 2 and 3 diverge away from the head 4, and are resilient, sothat when the other, free ends 6 and 7, respectively of the arms arepressed together and released, they return to the rest position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The body 1 is formed of a suitable metal, e.g. stainlesssteel or a polymeric resin.

[0027] Serrations 9, i.e. alternating ridges and grooves extendingtransversely of the outer surfaces of the arms 2 and 3 approximately atthe middle thereof for facilitating grasping and manipulation of thearms by an operator.

[0028] The free ends 6 and 7 of the arms 2 and 3 are generally V-shapedwhen viewed from either side, the angle between the sides of the Vtypically being 120°. The V-shaped ends make it easier to grip a portionof an animal, e.g. a leg between the arms 2 and 3.

[0029] A sleeve 10 for holding a needle 11 is mounted in the free end 6of one of the arms 2. The needle 11 is releasably retained in the sleeve10 by a screw 12. A hole 14 is provided in the free end of the other arm3 for receiving the needle 11 when the arms are pressed together. Thearea of the inner surfaces of the arms 2 and 3 around the needle 11 andaround the needle-receiving hole 14 include serrations 15 for improvinggripping of an animal by the arm 3.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, a second embodiment of the inventionincludes essentially the same elements as the embodiment shown in FIGS.1 and 2. Accordingly, wherever possible, the same reference numeralshave been used to identify the same or different elements.

[0031] The second embodiment of the invention includes a metal cup 17 onthe free end 7 of the arm 3 which is filled with ink, e.g. green paste.Each time the hypodermic needle 11 passes through the hole 14 it picksup a supply of paste. A magnifying glass 18 is mounted on the outer freeend 19 of an arm 20 to facilitate the tattooing of small animals. Theother, arcuate end 21 of the arm 20 is pivotally connected to the head 4of the body 1 by a pin 22.

[0032] With reference to FIG. 4, when using the first embodiment of theinvention, an animal 25 (in this case a mouse or a rat) is firstimmobilized on its back using the conventional method. Green or anothercolor paste is placed on the skin in the area of the animal to betattooed. The arms 2 and 3 of the body 1 are pressed together to causethe needle 11 to pass through the area being tattooed. When the arms 2and 3 are released, the needle returns through the area to deposit pastebeneath the skin of the animal.

[0033] In the case of the second embodiment of the invention, when theneedle 11 passes through the hole 14 in the arm 3, it enters the cup 17and picks up a supply of paste. When the arms 2 and 3 are released, theneedle 11 returns to the rest position. By squeezing the arms 2 and 3together in the absence of an animal therebetween, the needle 11 ispreloaded. Thus, paste will be deposited during movement of the needle11 in both directions.

[0034] The areas of a rodent 25 which are tattooed include the toe pads26 and 27 on the front and rear feet 28 and 29, respectively, the feet28 and 29 themselves and the ears 30. Numbers are assigned to thevarious areas of the animal body which can be tattooed. The numbers areused to identify individual animals. Thus, by selecting various areasfor tattooing and tattooing one or more different areas of many animals,the number of animals having distinctive, identifying tattoos will bequite large. The size of the needle 11 is determined by the body partbeing tattooed and by the age or size of the animal. By using sterile,disposable needles, the risk of contamination and obstruction by driedink is avoided. Tattooing provides a visible identification for the lifeof an animal.

We claim:
 1. An animal tattoo device comprising a body including firstand second arms connected together at one end and having normally spacedapart, opposed free ends in a rest position; a hypodermic needle on thefree end of said first arm extending toward the free end of said secondarms for carrying a supply of ink; a hole in the free end of said secondarm for receiving said needle when the free ends of said first andsecond arms are moved towards each other, whereby, when an area of ananimal is placed between said free ends of the first and second arms,movement of the free ends towards each other will cause the needle topass through the area of the animal to deposit ink beneath the skin ofthe animal.
 2. The tattoo device of claim 1, including an ink containeron the free end of said second arm, said container being aligned withsaid hole, whereby when the needle passes through the hole by movementof said free ends towards each other, the needle enters the container topick up a supply of ink.
 3. The tattoo device of claim 1, wherein saidbody includes a head interconnecting said first and second arms at saidone end, said arms being resilient permitting pressing of said free endstowards each other and for returning the arms to the rest position. 4.The tattoo device of claim 1, including finger grips on said first andsecond arms facilitating manipulation of said arms.
 5. The tattoo deviceof claim 1, including serrations on at least one free end of said firstand second arms for gripping an animal placed between the free ends.